Houzz Tour: An Architect Builds a Beautiful Eco Haven for his Parents
A retired couple’s wish proved the perfect opportunity to create a brilliantly sustainable and practical home
When his parents told him they wanted to build a comfortable, modern home for their retirement, Sam Cooper jumped at the chance to help. “They’d always bought and restored historic buildings,” Cooper says. “In fact, the home they were living in and where I spent my teenage years was a listed Georgian house.”
After a vast amount of plot hunting and research, they finally decided to construct the house on the same site as that period property. Cooper designed them a beautiful, practical and sustainable home that became his manifesto project to prove that “sustainable could be sexy”.
After a vast amount of plot hunting and research, they finally decided to construct the house on the same site as that period property. Cooper designed them a beautiful, practical and sustainable home that became his manifesto project to prove that “sustainable could be sexy”.
“We searched other areas for a site, but nothing was suitable,” Cooper says. “My parents initially dismissed the idea of building a new home here, as they were passionate about the listed building they’d helped to restore.”
The site was also full of trees, which would have made it difficult to build on. But when an old tree in the centre of the grounds became diseased and had to be removed, it freed up some space and presented them with the possibility of building their house here.
However, it was important the building fitted within the space and didn’t overshadow the original Georgian house. The split-level property uses the slope to keep it at a low level, and is made of two single L shapes that interlock.
Cooper had accumulated a lot of knowledge about the house and its surroundings over the years, and combined this with computer modelling technology to map where each part of the house should go. The terrace, for example, gets the most sunshine in summer and plenty of breeze as well.
Read expert advice on how to install a green roof
The site was also full of trees, which would have made it difficult to build on. But when an old tree in the centre of the grounds became diseased and had to be removed, it freed up some space and presented them with the possibility of building their house here.
However, it was important the building fitted within the space and didn’t overshadow the original Georgian house. The split-level property uses the slope to keep it at a low level, and is made of two single L shapes that interlock.
Cooper had accumulated a lot of knowledge about the house and its surroundings over the years, and combined this with computer modelling technology to map where each part of the house should go. The terrace, for example, gets the most sunshine in summer and plenty of breeze as well.
Read expert advice on how to install a green roof
The building is designed to be comfortable all year round. For example, to the east of the property is a woodland, which is the coolest part of the site. “They can make the most of this by opening up the windows at this spot and pulling in the cool air,” Cooper explains. “At the same time, they can open the roof lights to let out hot air.”
The full-height sliding doors on the terrace are triple-glazed and super-insulated. They’re framed by a fixed-louvre awning, known as brise-soleil, which shields the glass from high summer sun and allows low winter sun to shine in.
“The white horizontal lines of the brise-soleil continue the theme of contrasts,” says the architect. “They are the direct opposite of the black timber vertical panels.”
Triple-glazed, frameless windows, Sky-Frame.
The full-height sliding doors on the terrace are triple-glazed and super-insulated. They’re framed by a fixed-louvre awning, known as brise-soleil, which shields the glass from high summer sun and allows low winter sun to shine in.
“The white horizontal lines of the brise-soleil continue the theme of contrasts,” says the architect. “They are the direct opposite of the black timber vertical panels.”
Triple-glazed, frameless windows, Sky-Frame.
A simple automatic sliding gate with vertical chestnut slats provides a little bit of screening. “Passers-by can’t see in from an oblique angle, but as they walk past they can catch a view,” Cooper explains.
Here, a glimpse of the listed building’s roof peers from behind the low-level pavilion. “High trees used to block this view, but we’ve now opened it up,” Cooper says.
Here, a glimpse of the listed building’s roof peers from behind the low-level pavilion. “High trees used to block this view, but we’ve now opened it up,” Cooper says.
The front door is located at the lowest corner of the site. Next to the door is a bedroom that’s been designed as a studio and plumbed ready for someone to put in their own kitchenette. “It’s an upside-down house, with bedrooms on the lower-ground floor and the living spaces upstairs,” Cooper says.
Behind the gabion wall is an oriental water garden, which takes you up the slope.
Behind the gabion wall is an oriental water garden, which takes you up the slope.
Stepping platforms in both metal and stone lead up through the water garden. The stone areas are rooted to the ground and form landing points, while the metal steps appear to float in the air. These metal stairs are industrial products from an oil rig, and their open design allows plants to grow up and around them.
Tour another eco house with a natural swimming pond
Tour another eco house with a natural swimming pond
The black panelling is made from sweet chestnut and treated with a black breathable stain. “The sweet chestnut is a British hardwood that’s very durable,” Cooper explains.
“We originally designed sliding roller shutters to slide back against the timber when the sun was too strong,” Cooper says, “but in fact we haven’t needed them at all.”
The house uses the Passivhaus system, with enough insulation, air tightness and solar gains to require no extra heating or air conditioning. It has been awarded the high environmental accreditation of Code 5, which means it produces as much energy as it uses.
“We originally designed sliding roller shutters to slide back against the timber when the sun was too strong,” Cooper says, “but in fact we haven’t needed them at all.”
The house uses the Passivhaus system, with enough insulation, air tightness and solar gains to require no extra heating or air conditioning. It has been awarded the high environmental accreditation of Code 5, which means it produces as much energy as it uses.
Here, Cooper’s parents sit at the sunniest spot on the terrace. A larger table is located in the dining area to the left. “They decided against a large outdoor dining table,” Cooper says. “The glass doors allow you to open the whole room up, so the interior and exterior merge into one.”
The lawn in the foreground insulates the roof of the bedrooms below, and the glass walk-on roof light runs above the hallway corridor.
The lawn in the foreground insulates the roof of the bedrooms below, and the glass walk-on roof light runs above the hallway corridor.
A post holds the roof up and is made from a concrete that contains a high amount of recycled material. The concrete has been left exposed so it can provide thermal mass to help regulate the internal climate. The surface sucks in the heat, stores it and then releases it slowly.
Zebrano veneer table, bespoke. Chairs, Molteni & C.
Zebrano veneer table, bespoke. Chairs, Molteni & C.
The kitchen sits right at the heart of the house and is white with an accent yellow hue. The pocket doors that cover two recessed areas slide open and back into the cabinets. The recesses are for the untidy work of food preparation and washing-up, so if the couple are having a dinner party, they can easily slide the doors shut to hide the mess. It’s a clever idea for an open-plan space like this.
The kitchen island is covered with Corian and houses lacquered, electric touch-operated drawers. The breakfast bar was cast in the same concrete that was used for the pillar. The kitchen designer made a negative, formwork cast over the unit and the builder poured in concrete. “It was a nerve-wracking moment for the builder,” Cooper recalls, “because he had to get it right first time.”
Steam oven, Gaggenau. About A Stool AAS38 sled base stools by Hee Welling, Hay.
The kitchen island is covered with Corian and houses lacquered, electric touch-operated drawers. The breakfast bar was cast in the same concrete that was used for the pillar. The kitchen designer made a negative, formwork cast over the unit and the builder poured in concrete. “It was a nerve-wracking moment for the builder,” Cooper recalls, “because he had to get it right first time.”
Steam oven, Gaggenau. About A Stool AAS38 sled base stools by Hee Welling, Hay.
LED lights have been fitted throughout to reduce the demand on energy. They are controlled centrally from a home management system, which makes the whole house work more efficiently.
For example, an attached weather station knows how bright it is outside and also senses if anyone’s in the room. The owners can control the system remotely from their phones and it’s possible to turn the whole house off when they leave. “With a system like this, you probably save an extra 5% or 10% in energy use,” Cooper enthuses.
Pendant lights, Tom Kirk Lighting.
For example, an attached weather station knows how bright it is outside and also senses if anyone’s in the room. The owners can control the system remotely from their phones and it’s possible to turn the whole house off when they leave. “With a system like this, you probably save an extra 5% or 10% in energy use,” Cooper enthuses.
Pendant lights, Tom Kirk Lighting.
The small window behind the sink has been deliberately placed to view the Japanese maple outside. When its foliage is in full bloom, the red shrub contrasts wonderfully with the bright yellow inside, and the red pendant lights and accessories pick up the tones.
The deep purple colour scheme of the master bedroom contrasts sharply with the bright white walls in the living areas. The feature wall here is a polished lime plaster with marble pigments, which has been sponged on to create a beautiful soft finish.
“All of the walls in the house are breathable and finished with lime products,” Cooper explains. “They help to regulate the moisture content and also suck up a lot of internal air pollutants.”
“All of the walls in the house are breathable and finished with lime products,” Cooper explains. “They help to regulate the moisture content and also suck up a lot of internal air pollutants.”
All the bedrooms are fitted with 100% British wool carpets, but as the building is fully insulated, this was a personal choice rather than a necessity. Cooper designed the space as a blank canvas on which his interior designer mother could put her own stamp. “We often design our buildings like this, so that our clients can create their own interior,” says the architect.
The bath in the master bedroom has a glazed door at the foot of it. A very old yew tree sits directly outside, so whoever is in the bath can lie back and gaze at the dark branches of the tree. Each window of the building has been deliberately placed to frame its own distinct view.
Polished plaster on walls, Plush Interiors. Eco bath, Castello.
Polished plaster on walls, Plush Interiors. Eco bath, Castello.
A reflection pool is located on the terrace outside the master bedroom. It has been designed to reflect ripples onto the walls and ceiling of the bedroom. Here, the evening sun is also mirroring the waves onto the black timber panelling. “The effect is extremely beautiful and calming,” the architect says.
The seating area in the open-plan living space is located next to a glazed bridge that crosses the corridor below. Roof windows flood light into the back of the room.
The yellow chair sits at exactly the point that gains the most sunlight all year round.
The yellow chair sits at exactly the point that gains the most sunlight all year round.
Behind the living space is a snug. It has a cosy wood-burner and a TV that sits on top of a concrete unit. This unit was once again cast in situ by the builder, and is set into the floor and the walls.
Wood-burning stove, Morso.
Wood-burning stove, Morso.
Across from the wood-burner are some useful shelves and comfortable seating. The room is deliberately darker and richer than the rest of the house.
A corridor leads from the front door to the staircase. The cement wall is holding back the ground behind it and natural light shines down from the walk-on roof light above.
To the right of the solid-oak front door is a ventilation panel. A stainless-steel woven mesh in front of it allows it to be left open securely, so air can flow along the corridor and cool the house down. “The building is super-insulated to heat it in the winter, so as a consequence, you need to think about ventilation in the summer,” Cooper explains.
To the right of the solid-oak front door is a ventilation panel. A stainless-steel woven mesh in front of it allows it to be left open securely, so air can flow along the corridor and cool the house down. “The building is super-insulated to heat it in the winter, so as a consequence, you need to think about ventilation in the summer,” Cooper explains.
The staircase at the end of the corridor consists of a mild steel structure and a glass balustrade. The solid-oak treads are treated with a natural oil and dark stain.
The stairs lead up to a half landing with a view of an old oak tree, then back round to glimpse the sun terrace. You then turn again to get another view of the building. “It’s hard to see in photographs,” Cooper says, “but the house has been designed in a way that allows people to take a pleasant promenade through it.”
The stairs lead up to a half landing with a view of an old oak tree, then back round to glimpse the sun terrace. You then turn again to get another view of the building. “It’s hard to see in photographs,” Cooper says, “but the house has been designed in a way that allows people to take a pleasant promenade through it.”
A glass door in the hallway creates a draught lobby, which allows people to take off their outerwear without releasing cold air into rest of house. A lacquered MDF boot box is fixed to the wall and doubles up as seating.
Each bedroom on the lower-ground floor has a distinct colour scheme. The external ground level is higher than these rooms, so they have a view out into the shrubs of the woodland. “The bedrooms have a lovely quality of light that’s filtered through the trees,” Cooper says. “Every now and again you’ll see a fox run past the window.”
Another lower-ground bedroom benefits from the diffused light, which not only looks wonderful, but makes the rooms pleasantly cool, too.
What do you think of this sustainable home? How would you feel about designing a house for your parents? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this sustainable home? How would you feel about designing a house for your parents? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A retired couple (the architect’s parents)
Location Blackheath, London
Property A split-level, zero-carbon new build
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architect Sam Cooper of E2 Architecture + Interiors
Photography Alexander James
This split-level building has given architect Sam Cooper’s parents a comfortable and easy life, with lower bills and pre-designed features to see them through their retirement. “We’ve already designed for a lift in the building,” he says. “My parents genuinely love it and I was really touched recently when I asked my mum what she would change – her answer was ‘nothing’.”
The house is built on a sloping site with an incline of three metres from the back to the front. Rough Purbeck limestone appears to rise out of the ground and mirrors other stones in the surrounding garden.
“It’s a building of contrasts,” Cooper says. “While the lower-ground floor is textured and earthy, the upper levels are crisp and monochrome.” Similarly, the walls of the lower-ground level are solid with infills of glazing, while the upper floor is the opposite, and consists of open glazing dotted with a few solid walls.